Polycystic ovary syndrome: a complex condition with psychological, reproductive and metabolic manifestations that impacts on health across the lifespan

The 2010 review by Teede et al. addresses Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting up to 20% of women of reproductive age, with significant health implications throughout their lifespan. PCOS is linked to insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes, especially in overweight women. The review highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, including lifestyle interventions for weight management and normalization of insulin resistance, which can significantly improve PCOS symptoms with even modest weight loss. Pharmacological treatments such as oral contraceptive pills and Metformin are also discussed, with the latter improving clinical features and having cardiometabolic benefits, though not inducing weight loss. The review calls for comprehensive guidelines for early diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for greater attention to the cardiometabolic and psychological aspects of PCOS, alongside the reproductive issues. Further research is needed for this complex condition to develop evidence-based management strategies.